To tap into growing demand for compact cars in China, Ford unveiled the Escort concept at the Shanghai Auto Show, giving consumers three similarly sized cars from which to choose.

China is the world’s largest auto market. The compact car segment alone accounts for 5.5 million sales and is forecast to grow to 7.2 million by 2017, said Raj Nair, Ford head of global product development.

The country’s diversity and growing middle class consumers able to afford a car has created three distinct markets within the compact, or C-segment.

The Ford Focus, now built in Chongqing, is in “C-high,” which appeals to more affluent buyers in the largest cities on China’s eastern and southern coasts.

The “C-low” sub-segment encompasses lower-priced cars, including many from domestic brands as well versions of vehicles no longer sold in mature markets.

There is a growing “C-mid” category for families in what are called China’s tier 2 cities -- those of between 1 million and 5 million people.

The Escort would slot into C-mid, where Ford also has the Focus Legacy, a previous-generation of the European Focus.

The Escort name harkens back to a European small car sold from 1968 to 2003. It was also Ford’s best-selling small car in North America from 1981 to 2003.

The concept shown in Shanghai bears a family resemblance to the Focus and Fusion, but with a more conservative, less sporty look. It is a couple inches longer, providing more room for families.

The Escort has unique elongated headlights that create a figure eight — a lucky number in China, said Chris Svensson who oversaw the car’s design in Asia-Pacific before moving to Dearborn in January to become exterior design director for the Americas.

Ford has invested $4.9 billion in China since 2006, building five plants to double annual production to 1 million vehicles and doubling its number of dealers to 700. The goal is to catch up with Volkswagen and General Motors, both of which have been in China longer.

Ford expects to double its share from 3% in 2012 to 6% over the next three years with 15 models and a heavy emphasis on utility vehicles. Ford will offer the Edge, Explorer, EcoSport and Kuga (Escape).

Shanghai showgoers will also see the Fiesta ST and the new Mondeo (Fusion) at Ford’s stand. The Mondeo will have a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that qualifies for tax credits in China and some European countries.

That new engine will be an option on the 2014 Fusion in the U.S., said Joe Bakaj, head of powertrain engineering.

Lincoln will debut in China in the second half of 2014. Lincoln chief Jim Farley said a dealer network is being set up.

“We’re well on our way to building a network,” said Farley, who is meeting with dealers during his visit to China.